Federal government invests in retrofitting the Wawiskas Community Hall in Bella Bella

The aging Wawiskas Community Hall will receive much-needed upgrades after a combined investment of over $3 million from the federal government through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program and the Heiltsuk Tribal Council.

"Our government is committed to investing in projects that support upgrades to community facilities so that they can become more energy efficient and continue to be a welcoming gathering space for years to come. By retrofitting the W̓áwískas Community Hall, this facility will continue to provide a safe and supportive place for educational, recreational, social, and cultural services for the Heiltsuk people."

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

"Our community hall is important to our people as it exemplifies our value of family. This is where we meet to come together and support one another. We are a gathering and feasting people and our community hall allows us to do this. A tradition our people have done since it was built in the 1968. Many memories and milestones we can even begin to count but we know it is important to preserve for future generations to come."

Dawn Hall, Heiltsuk Tribal Councillor

• The federal government is investing $2,998,826 millionin this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program and the Heiltsuk Tribal Council is contributing $32,759.49.

• These improvements are expected to reduce the facility's energy consumption by an estimated 77.4% and greenhouse gas emissions by 127 tonnesannually.

• The GICB program was created in support of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. It is supporting the Plan's first pillar through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the increase of energy efficiency, and helping develop higher resilience to climate change.

• The program is providing $1.5 billionover five yearstowards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades.

• At least10 percentof funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres.

• The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program is now closed.

Associated links

• Green and Inclusive Community Buildings
• Strengthened Climate Plan
• Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia

For more information (media only), please contact:

Micaal Ahmed
Communications Manager
Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
343-598-3920
[email protected]

Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: [email protected]
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
Web: Infrastructure Canada

Nicole Carpenter
Communications Officer
Heiltsuk Tribal Council
778-213-9640
[email protected]

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